Anti-drone tech deployed as part of Republic Day security
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Massive security arrangements have been put into place in the national capital of Delhi as the nation waits for the 73rd annual Republic Day Celebrations with 27,000 security personnel deployed around the city and anti-drone technology has also been installed across the rooftops of high-rises to monitor the sky.
Anti-drone technology has been deployed in the wake of intelligence reports of drone attacks. In December, a spurt of drone activity across the border from Pakistan led to increased discoveries of parcels of explosives - including RDX and IEDs - in Punjab, with Punjab Police having reported at least 37 drone sitings in 2020 alone.
The police have said that it is adhering to SOPs regarding drones issued by the Centre, according to which the national capital is divided into three zones. The first zone is the green zone, which is on the outskirts of Delhi. The second is Yellow, in which drones can be flown with some restrictions. No drones will be allowed in the Red Zone.
All borders have been sealed and non-essential vehicles are not being allowed to enter the city. Pickets have also been established and security around key landmarks has been tightened, most notably since today marks one year since the day protesting farmers stormed the Red Fort in tractors.
With the three farm laws repealed, the protests of the farmers have been withdrawn but the Delhi Police have been preparing for the past two months for the Republic Day security arrangements as Delhi has always been a target for terrorists and anti-social elements.
"We are fully prepared. We have been preparing for almost two months now. Elaborate arrangements with multi-layered security have been made all around the district. Vehicle checking would start at the borders of New Delhi district and it would become more and more stringent as you move towards the venue," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Deepak Yadav told Hindustan Times.
Only vehicles carrying essential goods or running services will be allowed to ply today, and all vehicles must have an authorised pass for the purpose of moving near sensitive areas such as the parade venue.
Multi-layers security has been put at the venue where President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present as the R-Day parade begins at 10.30am.
